Flexible ruler.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK G. HUNT, OF BUFFALO, NE\V YORK.

FLEXIBLE RULER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 694,061, datedFebruary 25, 1902'.

Application filed November 18, 1901} Serial No. 82,106. (No model.) I

To ctZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK G. HUNT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Flexible Rulers, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a flexible ruler adapted especially for use inruling straight lines on curved surfaces-such, for instance, as theleaves of heavy ledgers or similar books, which when the books areopened curve more or less at the back or hinge.

The object of the invention isto produce an exceedingly desirable rulerfor this purpose which is very flexible, so as to readily adapt itselfto the surface to be ruled, has the necessary thickness to raise theruling edge thereof sufflciently above the surface to be ruled toprevent blotting the same when ruling with ink, and which is exceedinglysimple, enabling it to be produced at the minimum cost.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a flexibleruler embodying the invention. Fig.2 isa bottom plan view thereof. Fig.3 is a side elevation showing one end of therulercnrved or bent. Fig. 4is an enlarged transverse section on the line at 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is alongitudinal section of the ruler.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents a flat elongated top plate or strip of suitable flexiblematerial, such as thin sheet-steel, which is very flexible andresilient. The opposite longitudinal edges a of this top plate arepreferably parallel and constitute the ruling or guiding edges. Theupper surface of the plate is perfectly smooth or plain.

B represents a bottom plate or strip of suitable material, preferably,like the top plate, of sheet-steel. This bottom plate is narrower thanthe top plate and is arranged centrally beneath the same, so that theside edges of the top plate overhang the edges of the bottom plate andprevent the ruling-pen from contacting with the bottom plate, and soavoid the possibility of getting ink on the latter and blotting orsoiling the surface being ruled. In order to raise the top plate thedesired distance above the surface to be ruled, the top and bottomplates are spaced apart by a strip or strips 0 of suitable materialinterposed between the same. Preferably a plurality of strips ofblotting-paper are employed which absorb any ink that may adhere to thebottom of the edges of the top plate and prevent the same from findingits way to the bottom plate B. The separate spacing-strips give theruler greater flexibility than a single strip, as the strips arepermitted to curve independently and slidelongitudinally relative toeach other when the ruler is curved or bent.

The bottom plate B and the spacing-strips O are secured to the top plateA and are prevented from moving laterally or sidewise thereon, but arepermitted to move longitudinally by means of straps or loops D. Thesestraps or loops are arranged at intervals along the length of the rulerand extend transversely thereof. Each strap or loop has a horizontalflat bottom bar d, which passes beneath and supports the bottom plate Bof the ruler, and upright side portions d, which extend up at the sideedges of the bottom plateand spacing-strips, the upper ends of the sideportions being bent outwardly horitop plate, as by solder. The loops orstraps permit the free independent longitudinal movement of the bottomplate and spacingstrips relative to each other and the top plate, butalways retain the several strips and plates in alinement. The underfaces of the bottom bars 01 of the straps or loops are flat andconstitute the supporting parts of the ruler, and in order to preventthe movement or slipping of the ruler on the surface being ruled theunderfaces of the straps or loops are roughened, as shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings.

E represents a securing rivet or device which passes down through holesin the bottom plate and spacing-strips and is secured zontally andsecured to the under face of the to the horizontal bar of the centralstrap or '1 of the ruler does not interfere with the free" independentmovement of the end portions of the several strips, and consequentlydoes not impair the flexibility of the rulerr A ruler constructed asabove described does not have any projections or protuberances,

such as securing rivets or parts for the several strips and plates,breaking the evenness of the upper face of the top strip; but the latterpresents an absolutely even, smooth, or plain upper surface, so that aperson in using the ruler can run the fingers of the hand along thissurface to steady the rulingpen. This is a great advantage in a ruler ofthis character.

I claim as my invention- The combination of a top flexible rulingplatehaving a plain upper face, a flexible plate of less Width than the upperplate arranged longitudinally beneath the same, a

flexible spacing means arranged between the top and bottom plates, and aplurality of holding-straps secured at their ends to the under face ofthe top plate and having side portions extending down at the sides ofthe spacing means and bottom plate and having bottom portions connectingsaid side portions and extending transversely beneath the bottom plate,said straps constituting bearing parts for the ruler, substantially asset forth.

Witness my hand this 4th day of November, 1901.

FRANK G. HUNT. Vitnesses:

Jno. J. BONNER, CLAUDIA M. BENTLEY.

